Lowell in Benton County, Arkansas — The American South (West South Central)
The Bank of Lowell
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., January 18, 2016
1. The Bank of Lowell Marker
Humphrey Barr, brother of Mrs. L. P. Davis, was an early banker. We know Henry Neal was the banker in 1918. He loaned Elza Tucker's mother $75 to buy a family sewing machine. He charged 10% interest and had a loan limit of $100. Elza has the receipt dated the same year he was born. Bank transactions moved at a steady but cautious pace for several years. That pace changed quickly in 1929 when the bank was robbed. Jude Austin tells, in his "Lowell Memories," how he was locked in the vault. That vault is still in place in 2009. Tin wall and ceiling tiles are still intact inside the upper part of the building, too. The original safe was moved and used at the First National Bank of Rogers under George Mills for a time, then brought back home. Although it was given to the museum, the city of Lowell has both moved and stored it many years. It is simply too heavy for the museum floor.
After the 1930's depression, the building housed stores run by Harrison Smith, Loyd Mabry, Orville & Edith Neal, Leon Chadwick, and perhaps others, but never again a bank. It was the first home of the Lowell Museum in 1976.
(A full account of the bank hold-up is available on dvd at the museum)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 2009.
Location. 36° 15.446′
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Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Lowell Postal Service (a few steps from this marker); Old City Jail (a few steps from this marker); School House on McClure Street (a few steps from this marker); Evaporator Near Railroad Track (within shouting distance of this marker); IOOF/Masonic Lodge Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Train Depot (within shouting distance of this marker); Evaporator Near School (within shouting distance of this marker); Old School on South Lincoln Street (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Lowell.
Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, May 20, 2023
2. The Bank of Lowell Marker
Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, May 20, 2023
3. The Bank of Lowell Marker
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., January 18, 2016
4. The Bank of Lowell Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on May 31, 2023. It was originally submitted on March 25, 2016, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 360 times since then and 10 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on March 25, 2016, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. 2, 3. submitted on May 31, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. 4. submitted on March 25, 2016, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.
